Page 1 of Bullied Pregnant Mate (Silver Meadows Wolves #7)

Ice crunches under my boots with every step as I hike slowly up a steep rise. I have to throw my weight forward, drive my foot down hard, and yank my leg out of the deep snow with each long stride.

The air is so clear and sharp, it burns my throat and tears my eyes. I embrace all of these small hurts as I push my way to the summit, keeping my focus on making it to the top without stopping.

A deep bank catches me as I approach the low peak, and I collapse into the snow. With a grunt of effort, I drag myself up and put all my energy into long, hard steps that take me over the edge and right to the top. Hands braced against my knees, I pant desperately to get my breath back. Pain shudders through my muscles, and I tremble so hard that I almost fall back down. When my vision clears and the ache in my chest eases, I raise my head to look across the horizon.

Mountains range around me on every side. Silver Meadows is nestled in the valley below me, twinkling lights beginning to flicker as the sun gets near to setting. Streaks of pink and orange glow around the snow-dusted, rocky peaks, giving the sky an ethereal glow.

It was worth every second of the pain.

The breathtaking view only captures my attention for a few moments before the sharper pain beneath it asserts itself again. The pain I’ve carried my entire life.

Stop it. It won’t do any good.

My eyes fill with tears as I fight my feelings. For years, I was safe, and this pain stayed buried deep in my soul, where it couldn’t trouble my thoughts or my dreams.

Then we came back to Silver Meadows.

I rub my hands together, looking away from the dramatic beauty of the sunset as I focus on the magic flowing in my veins. I can sense the spirits of everything around me, the deep, humming harmony that sings beneath the natural sounds of the world. Everything feels balanced and at peace.

Except me.

My powers aren’t strong, but I don’t mind that. It was frightening when they disappeared completely, so terrifying for me and my sisters that returning to Silver Meadows became the only possibility. No matter how much it hurt me to do it.

We’ve been here for years now, and I haven’t seen him. Chances are, I never will.

I don’t know if I should be relieved or upset by that idea. It really doesn’t matter, though. Whether I’ve seen the man himself or not, I’ve been reminded of him at every turn.

Jenks.

The town trickster, the party guy, the boy who just won’t grow up. Ever a kid, never a man. Dodging responsibility and running from anything that has any meaning.

No one knows him better than I do.

As the pain crackles through my chest, I let out a deep sigh, my breath clouding the air. The sun is sinking below the horizon, and vibrant color streaks the sky, becoming more iridescent but the second.

I can’t see him, I just can’t!

I don’t even know what I’m so worried about. Even after the split from Silverton that brought him back to town, I haven’t seen him. It wasn’t difficult to avoid his house. I simply declined invitations to the bigger parties and stayed out of official meetings.

As if that’s even really necessary—he doesn’t even go. Even though he’s related to Gina, he doesn’t give a damn about his responsibilities.

I clench my fists and turn my back on the fading sun to begin hiking back to town. I’m happy for the others, I really am, but I have little hope I can find a mate for myself. I want to share my life with someone, but first, I’d have to learn how to trust.

If I have faith in love, and a partner, I’ll have more power… but I don’t even care about that. I just wish I could heal from what Jenks did to me. Maybe then, I could learn to trust again.

Shadows begin to grow around me as the light fades from the sky. The forest seems dark and gloomy, but this doesn’t scare me.

There’s only one thing that scares me.

Memories begin to buzz through my mind, making my stomach drop and my chest tighten. I can hear the laughter and jeers of Jenks and his friends, the never-ending tirade of cruel humor that followed me every day of my high school years.

My eyes burn with tears I refuse to shed, and I press my lips together to stop my jaw from trembling.

I wouldn’t take it lying down now—no fucking way! I wonder how that jerk reacts when someone throws it back at him?

Even though I’m stronger now and know how to stand up for myself, there’s a sliver of fear in my chest that I can’t ignore. I’ve been relieved that I haven’t seen him so far, mainly because I have no idea how it will affect me.

As I leave the forest behind and get in the car, I can’t stop the next rush of images through my mind. I have to sit in the driver’s seat for a moment with my eyes closed and immerse myself in the memories.

Jenks, standing above the class, making one of his ridiculously funny speeches or pulling a prank on a teacher we all hate. The way his deep blue eyes sparkled and his big mischievous grin spread across his face with devilish intensity…

My phone buzzes, making me jump. I grab it from the seat beside me and see a text from Lucy.

We’re all meeting at the bakery for a chat. Important stuff to discuss, so make sure you come in, okay?

I sigh, tossing the phone back down on the passenger seat. I really don’t feel like doing any “important business” right now, especially when I don’t know how important it actually is.

It could be about a vital restructure of the coven, or the tension between the packs, or an update on the Ancient Ones.

Or it could be that the girls desperately need a late-night mud cake fix.

The streets are quiet as I head to the bakery, but I can’t shake the anxiety building in me. All witches have good instincts, and right now, mine are telling me that something big is about to happen.

I don’t even know if it’s bad or good, but ever since I got that text, I feel like doom is stalking me.

Don’t be so melodramatic. The only doom worth worrying about is if Lucy ran out of chocolate flakes.

When I park the car, I take a quick look around, seeing nothing but deserted streets. I feel like I’m being watched, and the more I try to ignore it, the worse it gets.

I turn my back on the forest, keeping my back straight and shoulders set. I don’t cringe away from challenges anymore, and I refuse to be scared until I know there is real danger.

When I swing open the front door to the bakery, all the girls are gathered at the main table. Cakes and biscuits are set out, and the others greet me cheerfully as I come through the door.

“I made you a hot chocolate,” Tara says, pushing it across the table as I sit down. “Fully loaded with sugar, just the way you like it.”

“Thank you,” I answer, taking a long sip. “What’s the emergency?”

She shrugs. “Lucy wanted to wait until everyone was here before we started.”

I look across the table at Lucy and Amanda. My guts twist with an emotion I can’t identify. They look so close, like true sisters, and I’m shocked to realize I’m slightly jealous of what they have.

A family. Not just each other, or their mates… but a whole family.

“Okay,” Amanda says, clapping her hands. “Let’s get started, shall we? Thanks for coming in, everyone. We need to talk about the next marriage. It’s good for both witches and wolves to continue down this path, and we want to know if anyone is ready to volunteer.”

“Whoa, hold up,” Penny says. “You’re just deciding without us now?”

“Of course not,” Lucy answers. “That’s why we’re having the meeting. We want to know if anyone is willing to step up. Nobody is being forced into anything.”

“You know I’m out,” Zoe mutters miserably.

“Zoe, I’m sorry,” Amanda says. “But we can’t just rush into Silverton to try and rescue Grant. We have no idea what happened to the wolves that Decker took with him.”

“That would be my point!” Zoe cries, jumping up so suddenly, her chair smashes against the wall. “How can you all just sit here? I don’t understand!”

She runs from the room with tears pouring down her cheeks, pushing open the door so hard, it slams shut and makes the windows rattle.

“I’ll go after her,” Penny offers, hurrying to follow Zoe.

“It’s a very unfortunate situation,” Amanda continues, her eyes dark, “but Bae doesn’t want an all-out fight. He’s still hoping for peace. And that means we can’t investigate at all.”

“Those wolves on the inside that want to fight for us could be the key, though,” Nell points out. “If we coordinate our attacks, we could overcome Decker.”

“Even if he has the support of the Ancient Ones?” Lucy snaps. “Would you want to go up against one of those?”

The circle goes quiet. Nobody wants to make eye contact.

“Trust me, you don’t,” Amanda mutters.

“That’s not what we need to talk about,” Lucy says, shaking her head. “Bae is out right now looking for the next match, and it’s on us to choose the witch who will be his mate. They want the ceremony to happen soon. There will be a meeting tonight.”

“Tonight?” Tara asks in surprise. “ That soon?”

Lucy nods. “We need to move forward on this. Witches gain stronger powers from the match, and so do wolves. There is still some split within the pack because this war with Decker has cost us a lot. It’s important to keep making matches to show everyone how beneficial it is for us to be here.”

A bit of muttering goes around the table as the girls consider. I know some of the younger ones are excited by the idea of finding a wolf mate and might jump at the chance.

The sense of anxiety has come back to me, rising sharply by the second. I feel like I’m running out of time. Like if I don’t speak up soon, I’ll lose my chance.

Chance at what?

“I’ll do it!” I suddenly shout, the words leaping from my throat, drowning out the chatter from the others.

Everyone goes silent and turns to look at me.

Anxiety claws at my throat and clenches my guts.

What have I done?

“Are you sure, Alisa?” Amanda asks. “Didn’t you say you had a potential mate?”

I shake my head hard. “No. I know I said that some time ago, but I was talking about an old flame from high school. That won’t turn into anything, so I think I should volunteer for this.”

“I was going to put my hand up,” Tara says, grinning at me. “You beat me to it by less than a second.”

I grin back, wanting to make a joke about letting her have it, but the words won’t come out.

What in the hell is wrong with me?

“Okay, Alisa,” Lucy says, her face very serious. “You know how this works, right? You’ll have to move in with him right after the ceremony. How you handle the relationship is up to the two of you, but you have to show unity in front of the pack. The whole point here is that Bae wants the others to see that the benefits of having witches here outweigh the risks.”

“We also want to dispel the idea that keeping us here is just a personal thing,” Amanda says. “Body is part of the top circle, and Peter is the brother of the alpha. We want the pack to know having the witches home is the right thing to do for us all, not just for the sake of those two.”

“The pack wants more evidence of the power boost, too,” Lucy adds. “Our guys have been showing off their skills, and the other wolves want more information before they offer themselves as mates.”

“Okay,” I say, forcing my voice through my tight throat. “I got all of that. I can do this, trust me.”

Lucy gives me a hard look. I stare right back, knowing she can pick up impressions of how I feel, even if she can’t fully read my thoughts. I’m trying to keep my bubbling panic under control, but I don’t think I’m doing a very good job of it.

“Are you sure, Alisa?” she asks. “Do you know exactly why you’re doing this?”

No.

“Yes, I do,” I answer confidently. “I want to strengthen our bond with the wolves and help us settle here permanently. In time, we can even help the others, like Zoe, free their mates.”

“Okay,” Amanda says, nodding. “As long as you’re sure. Once we commit, we can’t go back. Do you understand?”

“Yes.” I nod firmly, keeping my face set and determined. “I want to help my coven, and my pack. I’m ready for this.”

From the way the others look at me, I know they can feel the emotions simmering inside me. I feel like I’m right on the edge of a panic attack, fingers shaking, guts twisting, and heart hammering.

It’s okay. I’m safe. Perfectly safe.

Because I’m going to marry some random wolf, and once it’s done, it can’t be undone. I’ll find the happiness I crave. Someone to share my life with who is devoted to me.

Then I can forget about Jenks forever.